Mick Miller
1955 - 2010
1955 - 2010
Michael Melvyn Miller was born on January 7, 1955, and was fated to be desperately unlucky with his health.
Michael Melvyn Miller was born on January 7, 1955, and was fated to be desperately unlucky with his health.
He began his apprenticeship with Sam Armstrong at his St Gatien stables.
He began his apprenticeship with Sam Armstrong at his St Gatien stables.
When Sam retired, his son Robert took over. Michael stayed with the stable and rode his first winner on Silky Moss at Carlisle on July 4, 1974.
When Sam retired, his son Robert took over. Michael stayed with the stable and rode his first winner on Silky Moss at Carlisle on July 4, 1974.
He became stable jockey to Geoff Hunter and won the 1981 Ayr Gold Cup on First Movement.
He became stable jockey to Geoff Hunter and won the 1981 Ayr Gold Cup on First Movement.
He struck up a wonderful relationship with the 2-y-o Jonacris on which he won five times, including the 1983 Gosforth Park Cup.
He struck up a wonderful relationship with the 2-y-o Jonacris on which he won five times, including the 1983 Gosforth Park Cup.
Mick's best season came in 1982 with 25 winners. He is thought to have ridden about 500 winners all told.
Mick's best season came in 1982 with 25 winners. He is thought to have ridden about 500 winners all told.
This total would have been dramatically improved but for his propensity to injury.
This total would have been dramatically improved but for his propensity to injury.
In 1978 he damaged his kidneys; in 1983 he broke a wrist and an ankle and, in 1985, he broke his pelvis. Before that last injury, he had just accepted a retainer to ride for Ron Boss.
In 1978 he damaged his kidneys; in 1983 he broke a wrist and an ankle and, in 1985, he broke his pelvis. Before that last injury, he had just accepted a retainer to ride for Ron Boss.
In 1982, Mick won a Group 3 race in Baden-Baden on Tina's Pet.
In 1982, Mick won a Group 3 race in Baden-Baden on Tina's Pet.
On March 12, 2008, he was banned from driving for three years after he admitted being three times over the drink-drive limit.
On March 12, 2008, he was banned from driving for three years after he admitted being three times over the drink-drive limit.
Just a month later, in April, 2008, at his home in Adastral Close, Newmarket, he suffered a brain haemorrhage, falling downstairs and breaking a number of ribs. He was taken to Addenbroke's and was put in intensive care with septicemia.
Just a month later, in April, 2008, at his home in Adastral Close, Newmarket, he suffered a brain haemorrhage, falling downstairs and breaking a number of ribs. He was taken to Addenbroke's and was put in intensive care with septicemia.
In May, 2010, Mick Miller, who was diabetic, lost his battle against cancer, dying, aged 55, at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmonds.
In May, 2010, Mick Miller, who was diabetic, lost his battle against cancer, dying, aged 55, at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmonds.
He left a wife, Janet and son, Robert.
He left a wife, Janet and son, Robert.
The funeral was held at St Mary's Church, Newmarket on Tuesday May 11.
The funeral was held at St Mary's Church, Newmarket on Tuesday May 11.